Boost Your Short Term Rental Business with These Platforms in Australia

IMPORTANT 1: If you have yet to establish your Airbnb listing or are considering creating another, it is imperative that you reach out to me (Ranui) at 0422 744 899 to receive invaluable guidance on the process. This consultation comes at no cost to you. The insights provided are pivotal to optimising the future sale of your property and can substantially enhance its market value.

When it comes to listing your short term rental accommodation online, you have a variety of platforms to choose from. However, not all platforms will perform equally well for your property, as they may differ in terms of exposure and algorithms. You may have to try out different platforms and compare their results to find the optimal solution for your situation. We have opted for maximum online exposure and coverage. Here is an approximate percentage earnings from each platform including from our own website:

• Airbnb: (www.airbnb.com.au) This platform is widely used by travellers around the world and offers a user-friendly interface, flexible cancellation policies and a host guarantee program. According to my own experience, Airbnb accounts for 40% of our bookings.
• Own website: (www.riverlearetreatmudgee.com.au) Having your own website gives you more control over your brand, pricing and marketing strategies. You can also avoid paying commissions or fees to third-party platforms, but requires significant time on social media engagement to promote (How A Website Can Boost Your STRA Business). Our own website generates 40% of my bookings as well.
• Riparide: (www.riparide.com) This platform is focused on nature-based accommodation and experiences in Australia. It attracts travellers who are looking for unique and adventurous stays in rural or remote areas. Riparide contributes 5% of our bookings.
• Stayz: (www.stayz.com.au) This platform is part of the Expedia Group and offers a wide range of accommodation options in Australia and New Zealand. It caters to travellers who are looking for family-friendly, pet-friendly or luxury stays. Stayz also provides 5% of our bookings.
• Booking.com: (www.booking.com) This platform is one of the largest online travel agencies in the world and offers access to millions of potential customers. It covers various types of accommodation, from hotels and resorts to apartments and villas. Booking.com makes up 10% of our bookings.

By listing your accommodation on Stayz, Booking.com and TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com.au), your listing will automatically be listed on the following platforms:

• FlipKey (www.flipkey.com)
• Expedia (www.expedia.com.au)
• Lastminute.com (www.lastminute.com.au)
• RentByOwner (www.rentbyowner.com)
• WotIf (www.wotif.com)
• Bringfido (www.bringfido.com)
• Agoda (www.agoda.com)
• Hotala (www.hotala.com)

Additionally, here are some other hosting platforms to consider:

• Travellarks (www.travellarks.com.au)
• Search and Stay (www.searchandstay.com)
• Pupsy (www.pupsy.com.au)
• Houfy (www.houfy.com)

All these platforms provide an online marketplace where you can create a listing, showcase your property, set rates, and communicate with potential guests. It’s important to review each platform’s terms, fees, and policies to determine which platform aligns best with your specific needs and preferences. Additionally, some local or regional platforms may exist that cater to specific areas or niches within the Australian market. Researching and exploring these options can also be beneficial for maximising the visibility of your short-term rental property.

Advantages on multiple listings

Listing your short-term accommodation across multiple platforms can offer several advantages compared to minimal or exclusive listing. Here are some benefits of listing your property on multiple platforms:

1. Increased Visibility: By listing your property on multiple platforms, you expand your reach and expose your property to a larger audience. Different platforms have their user bases, demographics, and geographical coverage, which can help you attract a diverse range of potential guests.
2. Maximise Booking Opportunities: Listing on multiple platforms increases your chances of securing bookings. Some travellers prefer specific platforms or may be more active on certain platforms, so having your property listed across various platforms increases the likelihood of capturing their attention and booking inquiries.
3. Competitive Advantage: With multiple listings, you can compare performance metrics across platforms and optimise your strategies. You can analyse factors such as booking rates, average daily rates, and guest feedback on different platforms, allowing you to fine-tune your pricing, amenities, and marketing efforts to stay competitive in the market.
4. Risk Distribution: By spreading your bookings across multiple platforms, you reduce the risk of relying solely on one platform. If there are any changes or issues with a particular platform, such as changes in policies or technical difficulties, having alternative platforms ensures your business isn’t heavily impacted.
5. Test and Experiment: Listing on multiple platforms gives you the opportunity to test different strategies, pricing models, and offerings. You can experiment with variations in pricing, minimum stay requirements, or special promotions on different platforms to see which approach yields the best results for your property.
6. Diversify Revenue Streams: By listing on multiple platforms, you can diversify your revenue streams. If one platform is experiencing a slower period or seasonal fluctuations, bookings from other platforms can help offset any potential decrease in occupancy.
7. Feedback and Reviews: Multiple listings allow you to gather feedback and reviews from guests across different platforms. Positive reviews and high ratings on multiple platforms enhance your property’s reputation and credibility, attracting more guests and increasing your overall booking potential.

Disadvantages on multiple listings

While listing your short-term accommodation across multiple platforms offers advantages, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider:

1. Time and Effort: Managing multiple listings across different platforms can be time-consuming and require additional effort. It involves creating and updating listings, managing calendars and availability, responding to inquiries, and coordinating bookings across multiple platforms. This increased workload can be challenging, especially for hosts with limited time or resources.
2. Double Bookings and Synchronisation: Without proper management and synchronisation, there is a risk of double bookings or inconsistencies in availability. It requires careful monitoring and regular updates across all platforms to ensure accurate and up-to-date information, which can be more demanding and prone to errors compared to managing a single listing.
3. Platform Fees: Each platform typically charges fees or commissions for bookings made through their platform. Listing on multiple platforms means incurring multiple sets of fees, which can eat into your profits. It’s important to factor in these costs when evaluating the financial viability of listing on multiple platforms.
4. Fragmented Reviews and Feedback: Managing reviews and feedback across multiple platforms can become more challenging. Reviews and ratings are essential for building trust and attracting future guests, but with multiple listings, you may have reviews scattered across different platforms. It may require monitoring and responding to feedback on each platform individually, which can be time-consuming.
5. Platform-Specific Limitations: Each platform has its own set of rules, policies, and limitations. Some platforms may have restrictions on pricing models, cancellation policies, or property types. Adhering to different platform requirements and ensuring compliance across multiple listings can be more complex and may limit your flexibility compared to a single platform.
6. Lack of Brand Consistency: Managing multiple listings across different platforms can make it challenging to maintain consistent branding and messaging. Each platform may have its own layout, formatting, and limitations on customisation, making it harder to present a cohesive brand identity and experience across all listings.

In summary, listing your short-term accommodation on multiple platforms can increase your exposure and revenue, but it also comes with some challenges, such as higher workload, some technical understanding using ICal links and potential conflicts. To overcome these challenges, you need to evaluate your situation and goals, plan ahead, manage your listings efficiently, and use technology tools or services to simplify your tasks. By doing so, you can make the most of the multi-platform strategy and optimise your short-term rental business.